6/20/2006 @ 11:46AM

Skinner's McD's, Sinopec Rev Up China Drive-Thrus

As Chinese citizens replace bicycles with automobiles, they’re embracing another facet of car culture beloved by their Yank counterparts: the “drive-thru.”

And helping those newcomers to a freer market is Chief Executive James Skinner. His
McDonald’s
, the very symbol of a globalizing economy’s mass culture, said it will open 100 new stores annually in China starting next year. Reportedly, half of the new locations will boast drive-through service.

Earth’s No. 1 restaurant chain–it’s ranked No. 179 on the Forbes Global 2000 list of the world’s biggest companies–will have a local partner with a fitting interest in developing the new automotive eateries:
China Petroleum and Chemical
(Sinopec) and McD’s inked the deal Tuesday.

At a signing ceremony, the two firms declared their strategic partnership. The Golden Arches’ President and Chief Operating Officer, Michael J. Roberts, declared at the ceremony that, “China is a growing and exciting market. We’ll open 100 new stores in China each year for as many years as we can see.”

The Middle Kingdom’s vast geography ranges from towering snowcaps to steamy marshes, grassy steppes to stormy coastline–and many areas are disconnected from each other, physically and culturally. Thus, the COO noted that determining the new restaurant sites will be “a challenge.”

“But,” Roberts added happily, “we have an advantage in this area.”

Pity
Burger King Holdings
and
Wendy’s International
. Sounds like Mickey D’s is on its way to another billion served. More…